Objective:
As a former slave, my first and foremost concerning issue is that of slavery and the abolishing of it. I strongly believe that every person is equal, no matter what they look like, where they come from, how they speak, etc. Religion is a dominant part in my life, as it happened to be one of my "escapes" and passions as I struggled to be free from slavery. I was born Isabella Baumfree but quickly changed my name once I was emancipated (I chose 'Sojourner Truth' because it loosely translates as a 'traveling preacher'). I have spent many years serving as a traveling preacher across the states. Another important issue I am fighting for is woman's rights and suffrage. As I said, every person is equal- why can't a woman be equal to a man? Why are there limitations? These are the questions I proposed at my various gatherings and speeches.
Methods & Accomplishments:
My last few years as a slave I lived under the ownership of a man in New York, and in a few years a law was passed that abolished slavery for good in the state. After escaping one of my homes, I had learned that my son had been sold to another slaveholder, although he was officially emancipated under the law passed in New York. I fought long and hard to not only save my son but to let others see the troubles of slavery and ended up winning the case and getting my son back. I also helped to raise food and collect clothing contributions for the various black regiments during the Civil War. I believe it to be my duty to help reach out to women who cannot necessarily speak up for themselves- which is why I took it upon myself to speak at various meetings and conventions and address these particular issues. It is also a special honor to me, and to others, I would hope, that I was invited to speak at the Ohio Woman's Rights Convention, located in Akron, on behalf of my activist peers. Here, I gave my most famous speech, commonly named as the "Ain't I A Woman?" speech. In it, I addressed the qualifications men ask of women and what is said and written in the Bible, but still, I, as a woman, am apparently not the right woman to fill that role.
References:
Harriet Beecher Stowe has been a dear friend to me throughout the years. I met her just after I gave my "Ain't I A Woman?" speech. Not only did she listen to my ideas and help create new ones, but she continued to praise me, which I am forever grateful for. An article was written for me in the Atlantic Monthly and wrote an introduction for my autobiography titled The Narrative of Sojourner Truth.
William Lloyd Garrison also helped me immensely with my movements. He was gracious enough to publish a book titled The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave dedicated not only for addressing me and the hardships I grew up with, but with the obstacles I had overcome and my motives to help others. His publication allowed me many events and gatherings to speak at, where I often spoke and preached about anti-slavery and woman's rights. Not only did William help bolster my image, he helped me achieve my goals.
Objective:
As a former slave, my first and foremost concerning issue is that of slavery and the abolishing of it. I strongly believe that every person is equal, no matter what they look like, where they come from, how they speak, etc. Religion is a dominant part in my life, as it happened to be one of my "escapes" and passions as I struggled to be free from slavery. I was born Isabella Baumfree but quickly changed my name once I was emancipated (I chose 'Sojourner Truth' because it loosely translates as a 'traveling preacher'). I have spent many years serving as a traveling preacher across the states. Another important issue I am fighting for is woman's rights and suffrage. As I said, every person is equal- why can't a woman be equal to a man? Why are there limitations? These are the questions I proposed at my various gatherings and speeches.
Methods & Accomplishments:
My last few years as a slave I lived under the ownership of a man in New York, and in a few years a law was passed that abolished slavery for good in the state. After escaping one of my homes, I had learned that my son had been sold to another slaveholder, although he was officially emancipated under the law passed in New York. I fought long and hard to not only save my son but to let others see the troubles of slavery and ended up winning the case and getting my son back. I also helped to raise food and collect clothing contributions for the various black regiments during the Civil War. I believe it to be my duty to help reach out to women who cannot necessarily speak up for themselves- which is why I took it upon myself to speak at various meetings and conventions and address these particular issues. It is also a special honor to me, and to others, I would hope, that I was invited to speak at the Ohio Woman's Rights Convention, located in Akron, on behalf of my activist peers. Here, I gave my most famous speech, commonly named as the "Ain't I A Woman?" speech. In it, I addressed the qualifications men ask of women and what is said and written in the Bible, but still, I, as a woman, am apparently not the right woman to fill that role.
References:
Harriet Beecher Stowe has been a dear friend to me throughout the years. I met her just after I gave my "Ain't I A Woman?" speech. Not only did she listen to my ideas and help create new ones, but she continued to praise me, which I am forever grateful for. An article was written for me in the Atlantic Monthly and wrote an introduction for my autobiography titled The Narrative of Sojourner Truth.
William Lloyd Garrison also helped me immensely with my movements. He was gracious enough to publish a book titled The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave dedicated not only for addressing me and the hardships I grew up with, but with the obstacles I had overcome and my motives to help others. His publication allowed me many events and gatherings to speak at, where I often spoke and preached about anti-slavery and woman's rights. Not only did William help bolster my image, he helped me achieve my goals.
Sources:
Lewis, Jone Johnson. "Sojourner Truth." Sojourner Truth. 2010. The New York Times Company. 24 February 2010. http://womenshistory.about.com/od/sojournertruth/a/sojourner_truth_bio.htm
"Sojourner Truth (Isabella Baumfree)." Women In History. 2010. 24 February 2010. http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/trut-soj.htm